“Community” Returns With a New Face

From Geek Goes Rogue TV Editor Zach W. Lorton, as told to by the naked blanket he has wrapped himself with, although he is not naked…

Stop picturing it.

There is a certain voice that, when heard, gives cause for celebration, a hope of magical, whimsical moments of absurdity, and a guarantee that there will be virtually nothing stress-inducing for the next 30 minutes.  Over a low-quality school-grade public address system, we hear the jolly tones coming out, carrying news which could be grand, could be tragic, could be morose or even apathetic.

“Dean Pelton here, wishing you another magic year at Greendale, ranked America’s #2 community college by GreendaleCommunityCollege.com.”

Leonard is still there.  Abed’s breaking of the fourth wall is still there.  The debate championship trophy is still there, and it’s still in the trophy case.  And it’s still the only thing in the trophy case.

Community is back, folks.

I rejoiced when I got home and realized there were two new episodes on the DVR.  Waiting for me.  Patiently.

“No monologue for you.”

Oh, and Chang’s back.  Thank you, Jesus.

By the end of the season premiere, we get to see Pierce as a hologram, Chang under homeless house arrest, Dean Pelton creating his vision board, and Jeff Winger actually becomes a teacher in the very institution he just spent 4 seasons trying to put in his rearview mirror.  Episode 1 of Season 5 didn’t break any new ground, but it saw all the surviving member of the study group coming back to Greendale.  That kind of had to happen in order for the show to still make sense, but I have a feeling that if we hold out hope, we’ll see some of the greatness that seasons 1 and 2 had to offer, even if they’re not in the form of paintball fights or bottle episodes.

However, in episode 2, “Introduction to Teaching”, Jeff Winger gets introduced to Buzz Hickey, played by none other than Mike Ehrmantraut himself, Jonathan Banks.  Banks brings a fresh humor to a show that desperately needs a kick in the pants after being in danger of getting canceled over the last two years.  Though he’s still the same badass you expect to see, as he puts Leonard in his place for hassling a fellow teacher, he also plays the part like he’s having some great fun.  At this point, after such a storied career and an Emmy-nominated turn on Breaking Bad, the guy deserves a role like this.  It wasn’t until after I saw this episode that I found the above promotional poster, so it looks like Banks is on the roster for the season.

AWESOME.

Look, if it appears I’m being partial, I am.  Sue me.  Any community college that could have a course dissecting whether Angela or Tony actually was the boss (it was Angela), and then replacing that course with one called “Nicholas Cage: Good or Bad?” has got to be one worth discovering.  Even if it is only on television.

And if you think this season won’t be worth checking out, you need to wait to make that judgment call until after you’ve watched the trailer…

#SixSeasonsAndAMovie.

Zach W. Lorton is a media producer and professional DJ/MC by trade, and a comedian, actor, and musician by default.  His debut music project is set to begin recording in 2014, and will likely take the world by storm, possibly in the form of a Sharknado.